A new record for the Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) in the Sierra Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco-Colima, Mexico

Abstract

AN IMMATURE ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (SPIZAETUS ORNATUS) WAS OBSERVED AND PHOTOGRAPHED WHILE PERCHED IN PINEOAK FOREST IN THE SIERRA DE MANANTLÁN BIOSPHERE RESERVE, JALISCO-COLIMA, MEXICO. FROM PLUMAGE CHARACTERISTICS WE BELIEVE THE EAGLE TO BE 2-3 YEARS OLD. THIS RECORD IS SIGNIFICANT DUE TO THE PAUCITY OF RECORDS FOR THIS SPECIES IN WESTERN MEXICO: NAYARIT (1) COLIMA (3), JALISCO (1) AND GUERRERO (1). THE ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE IS CONSIDERED AS A THREATENED SPECIES IN MEXICO, AND THIS RECORD FROM A NATURAL PROTECTED AREA BRINGS HOPE FOR ITS CONSERVATION.